With the seeding of Fuso eCanter electric light-duty truck already in progress in India, it will be offered in the market under the BharatBenz brand name rather than the Fuso brand name, claim industry sources with the knowledge of the development. 

Drawing attention to the launch of eCanter under the Fuso brand name in Indonesia, they mention that Daimler India Commercial Vehicles' (DICV) first electric truck in the country will offered with a GVW of 4.25 tonne. 

The commercial launch of the vehicle expected to take place ahead of the upcoming festive season, the e-truck is being worked upon in terms of its marketing position vis a vis what the competition would soon follow up with and in terms of what the market requirements are. 

With the electric commercial vehicle market on the truck side moving up to light four-wheel trucks, albeit in the GVW range of up to 1.7 to two tonne as of now, the eCanter at 4.25 tonne GVW should make it a good candidate for mid and last-mile deliveries in the e-commerce, parcel and other application areas. 

While it will be clear once DICV chooses to commercially introduce the eCanter under the BharatBenz brand as to what its strategy is, it is no secret that the company makes four Daimler Truck brands – Fuso, BharatBenz, Mercedes Benz and Freightliner – at its Oragadam plant on the outskirts of Chennai. 

In fact, it is the heavy-duty trucks made and exported from the Oragadam plant that has expanded the Fuso brand portfolio in Far East Asian markets where buyers always perceived the truck brand as the one offering light-duty trucks only. 

To be a part of the 14 new commercial vehicles DICV will launch in 2024, the eCanter is a reflection of Daimler Truck's commitment to the Paris Climate Protection Agreement and also its pioneering efforts in the field of modern transportation. 

With growing demand for CO₂-neutral transportation and a clear understanding of safety, the eCanter – which world premiered in Japan and Europe in the second half of 2022 – is being offered in four configurations (4.25-tonne, six-tonne, 7.5-tonne and 8.5-tonne) and two battery packs – S and M. This is in the markets outside of India as of current. 

The S battery pack is of 39/41 kWh capacity and supports a range of 70 km. The M battery pack is of 78/82 kWh and supports a range of 140 km. 

Available in a single cab form for applications such as city distribution (last-mile delivery), the eCanter is available in three wheelbase options – 2,500 mm, 2,800 mm and 3,400 mm. 

If DICV will offer more than one configuration of eCanter in India is not yet clear. The feedback of the seeding is expected to help to decide on such and other parameters. It is possible that DICV will offer the lightest 4.25 tonne configuration at the beginning and follow up with the other two configurations when it confident that the technology and vehicle are well received by the market.  

Efforts to localise the model are being made as part of DICV's strategy from the time it entered the India truck market in 2012, the sources informed.  

While the initial push is expected to be towards institutional buyers, a robust leasing mechanism could get the eCanter is the scope of retail customers as well. As of now, it makes an interesting addition to the commercial vehicle technology landscape of the vast country that India is. 

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TVS Motor Company has announced the launch of ‘TVS KING Ka Vaada 3.0’, an expanded value-added scheme for its three-wheeler portfolio. The initiative extends beyond vehicle maintenance to include financial security and protection benefits for customers and their families.

The updated programme introduces personal and family protection measures alongside traditional vehicle support.

Personal accident coverage for up to INR 1 million in the event of death or permanent disability. Education support of INR 100,000 per child for up to two children in the event of death or permanent disability. Hospitalisation income of INR 4,000 per day for up to 30 days during medical confinement. Three free services and roadside assistance across the range.

The scheme applies to both Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and Electric Vehicle (EV) models in the passenger and cargo segments.

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In what is seen as a global energy crisis on the back of the ongoing war between Iran and USA-Israel, is now also expected to have an impact on the Indian transport sector.

Bal Malkit Singh, Advisor & Former President – All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), has called for proactive government measures to protect the economy and the road transport sector from the effects of escalating tensions in the Middle East. The warning follows a surge in crude oil prices to nearly USD 95 per barrel and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz as of late February 2026.

The road transport sector is experiencing a slowdown due to reduced industrial output. Industry observations indicate a decline of up to 50 percent in certain segments, with projections suggesting this could reach 70–80 percent if current disruptions persist.

Furthermore, it can also lead to rising prices for fuel, lubricants, tyres and AdBlue (urea). He has expressed concerns over driver migration due to fewer work opportunities and the closure or price increases at highway eateries.

The ‘energy war’ scenario is impacting the wider MSME ecosystem, leading to higher production costs and operational challenges for small businesses and trading establishments.

Singh has urged the government to implement policy support to maintain economic stability, emphasising that the transport sector serves as the lifeline for domestic trade.

Proposed interventions include:

• Deferment of Equated Monthly Instalments (EMIs).
• Introduction of soft loan schemes.
• Targeted tax relaxations for transporters and MSMEs.

Bal Malkit Singh, said, “The current geo-political developments are an early warning signal for our economy. The road transport sector, being the lifeline of trade and commerce, is already experiencing stress due to reduced movement and rising operational costs. If timely interventions are not considered, the situation could escalate significantly in the coming weeks. It is essential to support MSMEs and transporters through relief measures such as deferment of EMIs, soft loan schemes, and tax relaxations to ensure business continuity and economic stability.”

Image credit: Samuel Wolfl/Pexels

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Euro NCAP has announced that Allianz has joined the Safer Trucks programme as an Associate Member, which combines vehicle safety assessment with commercial risk data.

The Safer Trucks programme, launched in 2024, provides safety ratings for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). In its first two years, the initiative has assessed 30 truck models and identified safety gaps in the freight sector. Data indicates that in collisions involving HGVs, 90 percent of fatalities are occupants of other vehicles or pedestrians and cyclists. Freight transport accounts for the movement of 95 percent of goods across the EU.

Allianz operates in 70 countries and will contribute expertise on risk trends and claims data. The Allianz Center for Technology will serve as the centre for automotive technology and traffic safety to promote vehicle safety.

The involvement of insurers in safety assessments aims to inform manufacturers and fleet operators about areas for improvement. According to the programme, avoiding accidents reduces repair costs and downtime, which can lead to lower insurance premiums for fleets.

Matthew Avery, Director of Strategic Development, Euro NCAP, said, “We are delighted to welcome Allianz to the Safer Trucks programme. Their expertise in risk and casualty analysis adds a valuable new dimension to our multi-disciplinary approach. Safer Trucks is designed not only to benchmark safety performance but also to catalyse improvements in truck design and technology. By integrating risk insight from Allianz with our independent testing data, we aim to accelerate safety innovation across the commercial vehicle sector.”

Matthias Trustedt, Head of Global P&C, Allianz SE, said, “Joining Euro NCAP’s Safer Trucks initiative aligns with our commitment to reducing road risk through evidence-based insights. We believe that independent safety ratings, tied to real-world risk data, can influence both purchasing decisions and the development of safer vehicle technologies. Allianz is proud to support this important work, to help fleet operators make informed choices that protect drivers and other road users, and to offer them tailored and risk-based insurance solutions.”

Christian Sahr, MD, Allianz Center for Technology, said, “Our accident research shows that modern safety systems in trucks can significantly reduce the number of serious accidents. In addition to protecting life, avoiding accidents brings economic benefits for fleet operators because a fleet with lower repair and downtime costs is more efficient, offers better working conditions for drivers, and has significantly lower insurance premiums. Through our cooperation with Euro NCAP, we see excellent opportunities to use our combined expertise to improve the market penetration of safety systems that are already available and that contribute to accident prevention.”

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Piaggio Vehicles (PVPL), a subsidiary of the Piaggio Group, has secured an order for more than 100 units of its Ape Xtra Bada 700 cargo three-wheeler from HeidelbergCement India.

The three-wheelers will be deployed across 53 districts in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. This order marks the entry of the new diesel cargo model into industrial applications.

The Ape Xtra Bada 700 features a 700 DI diesel engine, a 7-foot cargo deck and a payload capacity of 750 kg, which is the highest in the three-wheeler cargo segment. The vehicle is equipped with 12-inch radial tyres, a digital instrument cluster with a 3.5-inch LCD and an optional rear sensor for reversing.

The vehicle architecture includes a chassis and suspension geometry designed for stability and load distribution. The cabin is engineered for long-distance operation and the engine is tuned for torque and pickup. Piaggio offers a five-year warranty on the model. The company positions this three-wheeler as a replacement for entry-level four-wheeler small commercial vehicles (SCVs) due to its operating economics.

Amit Sagar, Executive Vice President, CV Domestic Business & Retail Finance, Piaggio Vehicles, said, “This flagship order from Heidelberg Cement India Limited is a strong validation of the Ape Xtra Bada 700’s disruptive capabilities. At Piaggio India, we have always believed in pushing the boundaries of innovation in the last-mile mobility segment. The Ape Xtra Bada 700 sets new industry benchmarks in engine capacity, deck size and payload, and is designed to empower customers with more productivity and superior earnings. Breaking into applications traditionally dominated by 4-wheeler SCV marks an important milestone in our journey of offering better TCO and profitability to our customers.”

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